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intracellular diplococci were observed in film preparations.
The culture unfortunately remained sterile. The clinical
features were those of cerebro-spinal fever. Retraction and
opisthotonos have been well marked. Case doing fairly well
and may recover. No spots have been observed."
An interesting point connected with this case was the
discovery by the Sanitary Inspector on visiting the patient's
house, of a brother lying very ill in bed. He was at once
removed to St. Thomas' Hospital, but on arrival there he was
found to be suffering from scarlet fever, and was sent on to
the Metropolitan Asylums Board's Hospital.
Case No. 2. On the 10th June, I was asked to see a
suspicious case by the Medical Attendant in the person of
W. G., age 9 months, of 4 Mendip Place. I formed the
opinion that the case was probably one of cerebro-spinal
meningitis, and advised removal to hospital. The child was
removed in one of the Metropolitan Asylums Board's
ambulances to the Victoria Children's Hospital, Chelsea. It
was at first thought by the Hospital staff to be a case of
tubercular meningitis. The patient died on the 9th July. The
results of the bacteriological examination carried out at the
Lister Institute were as follows :—
"Re Material obtained from post-mortem:—
"In the pus from the meninges numerous gram-negative
intracellular diplococci were found. The same organisms
were obtained on culture.
"Diagnosis.—Cerebro-spinal meningitis, due to infection
by the meningococcus of Weichselbaum."
The clinical symptoms noted while patient was lying in
hospital were as follows:—Vomiting (cerebral type), convulsions,
fever, paralysis of soft palate, no head retraction.
The post-mortem examination revealed acute leptomeningitis,
base of brain being covered with a thick flaking
fibrino-purulent lymph, the posterior cistern, third, fourth and
lateral ventricles being distended with creamy fluid.